This week's events in the Three Rivers area

Oct. 6

White County Iris Society Meeting

SEARCY — The White County Iris Society will meet at 2 p.m. at 605 E. Race. Robert Treadway, well-known to central-Arkansas iris growers as a hybridizer of Louisiana iris, will present a report on the 2013 conventions of the American Iris Society and the Society for Louisiana Iris, held in Dallas last spring. All iris lovers are welcome. Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be given.

Cemetery Association Meeting

EL PASO — The Blasingame Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at noon at the cemetery pavilion. A potluck lunch will be served, followed by the meeting. Officers and board members will be elected for the coming year. Everyone is urged to attend.

Oct. 7

Lonoke County Retired Teachers

CABOT — The Lonoke County Retired Teachers Association will hold a potluck meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Mount Tabor United Methodist Church. The guest speaker will be Mary Alice Hughes, an Arkansas insurance producer associated with the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, who will answer insurance questions. All retired district employees are invited to attend. Donations for a local food pantry will be appreciated. For more information, call Helen Teffer at (501) 843-2790.

Oct. 8

Cleburne County Retired Teachers

HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers will meet at noon at the Rustic Inn in Heber Springs. Steve Singleton, executive director of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, will be the guest speaker. All retired school personnel are invited to attend.

Souper Tuesday

NEWPORT — The Newport Newcomers’ Souper Tuesday soup fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Newport First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall. Soups of all types will be prepared for the event. A donation will be taken at the door to be divided among the Jackson County Humane Society, the Learning Center and the school backpack program.

Oct. 10

Model Airplane Club Meeting

HEBER SPRINGS — Anyone who builds or flies model airplanes or wants to learn how to do so is invited to the next meeting of the Heber Springs-area model airplane club at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane, across the street from Auto Zone and behind Michael’s Italian Restaurant. The new club president is Ken Tabor. For more information, call (501) 206-7070.

Southern Raised Concert

WARD — Southern Raised, a bluegrass/gospel group, will appear at 7 p.m. at First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be collected. For more information, call (501) 628-1838 or (501) 850-2056.

North Pulaski Retired Teachers

JACKSONVILLE — The North Pulaski Retired Teachers Association will hold its second meeting of the 2013-14 school year at 1 p.m. at First Electric Cooperative on Loop Road. The meeting will include flu shots and a Volunteer Fair with presentations on volunteer opportunities for members. Those who want to get a flu shot need to bring their health-insurance card, Medicare card or $20. Spouses or friends are welcome to get a flu shot and listen to the program. An updated report on health insurance will be given. Membership in the association is open, and dues are $15 per year.

Business Expo

HEBER SPRINGS — The public is invited to the Business Expo, sponsored by the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Heber Springs Community Center. Prizes will be offered by the 62 vendors, including a travel package to Las Vegas. To register for a booth or for more information, visit www.heber-springs.com, or call (501) 362-2444.

Oct. 11

Fall Festival

NEWARK — The Newark Elementary School Fall Festival will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Newark Elementary School building. Admission is free. Starting at 5:30 p.m., food will be available for purchase, including chili, Frito pies and hot dogs, and tickets for games may be purchased. There will be several games and prizes, along with a silent auction and a bake sale.

BETA Bingo

NORFORK — Norfork Senior BETA will hold its annual BETA Bingo fundraiser at 6 p.m. in the Norfork School Cafeteria. All proceeds will help send the Senior BETA Club to the Arkansas BETA Club Convention in Hot Springs. While there, the students will represent Norfork School in numerous academic events. BETA is a service organization for students who maintain a 3.0 grade-point average and complete a required number of community-service hours. For more information, call Amy Branscum at Norkfork High School at (870) 499-7191.

Arts Council Exhibit and Reception

BATESVILLE — A gallery reception for the exhibition of Russ Wilhite, a 91-year-old Mountain View artist, will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Batesville Area Arts Council’s Gallery on Main, 246 E Main St. Wilhite reflects the spirit of the Ozarks in his unique and stylized paintings. The reception will include refreshments and live music by local musician Kenton Adler.

Oct. 12

Pastel Workshop

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will host a second pastel workshop, The Landscape in Pastel: Exploring Techniques, taught by Pleasant Plains artist Karen Barker, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gallery on Main, 246 E. Main St. Participants will explore landscape painting in pastels using various techniques, including wet and dry underpainting in this interactive workshop. Artists of all levels of experience are encouraged to sign up. The cost of the workshop is $50 per person, which includes all supplies. For more information, contact BAAC at (870) 793-3382, email baac@suddenlinkmail.com, or stop by the BAAC Gallery on Main at 246 E. Main St. to sign up.

Harvestfest

CHEROKEE VILLAGE — The first Harvestfest will be held from 1:30-10 p.m. in the Cherokee Village Town Center. A $3 admission (children 2 and younger will be admitted free) allows unlimited access to all events, including a haunted house, hayrides, a fashion show, an art show, a skate show, an auction, a street dance and special activities for kids, plus entry to win a $500 cash prize. For more information, call Pamela Rowland at (870) 847-5685. For nonfood vendor applications, call Barb Blough at (870) 710-1063, and to volunteer, call Preston Rowe at (870) 847-1447.

Civil War Re-enactor Event

CABOT — The Grand Prairie Civil War Round Table will present R.D. Keever from 1-4 p.m. at the Camp Nelson Cemetery in Cabot. He will be in period dress, have his horse with him and have a tent set up. This will be a free educational event. Keever — a retired teacher and re-enactor, as well as an authority on Camp Nelson — will give a talk and answer questions. Everyone is invited. For more information, email Keever at convertiblecowboy@sudden link.net or Rick Meadows at rmeadows@aaamissouri.com.

Art Exhibit

HEBER SPRINGS — The Creative Arts Society’s first art exhibit will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Heber Springs Community Center. There will be a reception and cash ribbon ceremony at 10 a.m. Painting and 3D categories will be included. For artist entries, email thecreativeartssocietyheber@yahoo.com, or call (501) 270-2278.

Yard and Bake Sale

CABOT — Mount Tabor United Methodist Church will hold its semiannual yard and bake sale at 7:30 a.m. at the church, 4100 Arkansas 89 S. The Fellowship Hall will be filled with household items, Christmas decorations, clothing, furniture, knickknacks and more. The bake sale will feature cookies, candy, sweet breads and fried pies. Proceeds will go to church missions.

Class of ’63 Reunion

CABOT — The 1963 class of Cabot High School will hold a 50-year reunion at The University Cafe at Arkansas State University-Beebe. A meet-and-greet will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6. For more information, call Norma Crutchfield at (501) 743-8886 or (501) 843-5925, or Irma Lee Heffner (501) 259-5187; or email Shelly Moran at shellyamoran@gmailcom.

Daylily Sale

SEARCY — The White County Daylily Society will have its annual fall sale from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of Simmons First Bank on South Main Street. There will be a good selection of lilies at a cost of $4 per double division. For more information, call Colleen Massengale, society president, at (501) 268-3711.

ONGOING

Greers Ferry Dedication Display

CABOT — The staff of the Museum of American History in Cabot has developed a display to commemorate the 1963 dedication of Greers Ferry Lake by President John F. Kennedy. The display contains a number of documents, photographs and newspapers from the museum collection. Included is an invitation to the 1963 dedication, an invitation to the 25th anniversary observation in 1988 and a device worn by Secret Service agents assigned to protect the president. The display is at the museum, 114 South St. in downtown Cabot. It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Friday and Saturday, or by appointment.

Kids Bible Club

WARD — The Kids Bible Club for children in first through sixth grades is being held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 30, at Ward United Methodist Church, at Scott and Arkansas 367 across from the Ward Community Center. The club will include storytelling, singing and light snacks. There is no cost for the program, and transportation is available. For more information, call Rick Meadows at (501) 843-3279 or (501) 327-9222, or email rmeadows@aaamissouri.com.

Fall Sessions for Musicians

BATESVILLE — Accordion, guitar, keyboard, violin and harmonica players of all experience levels are invited to come listen or play from 7-9 p.m. Monday and Oct. 21, Nov. 4 and 18, and Dec. 2 at First Community Bank.

Friends of the Library Book Shop

HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of The Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers a large variety of books at bargain prices. Proceeds will benefit all the libraries in Cleburne County, including the new library in Quitman.

Children’s Story Time

BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St., offers story time for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday. The event will include stories, videos and crafts conducted by librarian Vanessa Adams. The program lasts about an hour, and parents are requested to attend. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814, or visit www.indcolib.com.

Computer Classes

BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library offers free computer classes, geared for adults of all ages. Topics will include using a mouse and setting up an email account. Reservations are required. Call the library at (870) 793-8814 to register. For more information on this and other library events, visit www.indcolib.com.

Free GED classes

MELBOURNE — Free GED classes are available at the following Ozarka College campuses: Melbourne, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; Mammoth Spring, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; Ash Flat, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; and Mountain View, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call the Ozarka College Adult Education Department at (800) 821-4335, ext. 2051, or in Izard County, call (870) 368-2051.

Cabot Civitan Club Meetings

CABOT — The Cabot Civitan Club meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731.

Retirees Meetings

KENSETT — Retired employees from Eaton Vickers and Remington Rand meet from 7:30-8:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Kensett Country Kitchen. All former employees are invited to attend.

Republican Committee Meetings

CABOT — The Lonoke County Republican Committee meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at Grandpa’s Bar-B-Cue. For more information, call Irene Ernst at (501) 941-4905, or visit lonokegop.com.

Cabot Alzheimer’s Support Group

CABOT — The Cabot Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. For more information, contact Cindy Orlicek Jones at (501) 843-9014 or cindy@arkelderlaw.com.

Ceramic Classes

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center is offering ceramic classes for people 60 or older. Membership is $20 per year. Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call the center at (501) at 982-2011.

UPCOMING

Garden Club Meeting

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2413 Northeastern St. Guests are welcome. For more information, call (501) 580-0658.

Ozark Woodland Owners Association Meeting

BATESVILLE — The Ozark Woodland Owners Association will hold its fall meeting Oct. 17, beginning with a barbecue dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Independence County Cooperative Extension Office, 1770 Meyer St. Kyle Cunningham, forestry specialist with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, will speak about managing hardwood forests. OWOA members and other interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call Larry Morris at (870) 283-6646.

Ozarka College Intro to Computers Course

MAMMOTH SPRING — The Ozarka College Continuing Education Department will offer a six-week Introduction to Computers course at the Mammoth Spring campus. The course will begin Oct. 18 and will be held each Friday through Nov. 22. The cost is $25, and the cost for seniors older than 60 will be $20. Topics will include basic computer concepts, Microsoft Windows, Internet search and navigation, email basics, sending attachments, uploading photos, and Facebook and eBay basics. For more information or to register for the course, contact James Spurlock, director of Ozarka College-Mammoth Spring, at (870) 625-0411 or jmspurlock@ozarka.edu.

Paws for the Cause

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Stone County Humane Society will hold a fundraiser for its animal shelter from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at Centennial Bank Park on Main Street. The event will include a silent auction, a bake sale, games for kids, face painting, a bounce house, a top-dog contest, a cat photo contest, a cake walk, entertainment by local musicians and food.

Community Resource Day

CABOT — A Community Resource Day, sponsored by the Cabot Community Coalition, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 19 at the American Legion, 104 N. First St. The purpose of the Community Resource Day is to provide a way to connect people in the area in need of assistance with those agencies that meet those needs. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Cabot Community Coalition at (501) 529-0604 or cabotcoalition@gmail.com.

Mystery Night at the Museum

CALICO ROCK — The Calico Rock Museum will host its first Mystery Night at the Museum on Oct. 19, with dinner served at 6 p.m. in the Visitors Center, and the performance following at 7 p.m. in the museum, 104 Main St. After a sit-down dinner, the Peppersauce Players will portray seven characters from local history from the 1860s through the 1960s. Tickets are $40 each, with proceeds benefiting the museum. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Also that night, the museum will hold a drawing for the raffle of a Razorback pine rocking chair. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. For tickets for the Mystery Night or for the raffle, contact Gloria Gushue at the visitors center at (870) 297-4129 or ggushue@gmail.com, or visit www.calicorockmuseum.com/index.html. Checks may also be mailed to the Calico Rock Museum, 104 Main St., Calico Rock, AR 72519. Museum and visitors center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, contact Gushue.

Chili Supper

CHEROKEE VILLAGE — The United Methodist Men’s semiannual chili supper will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church, at the intersection of Otter and Keno drives. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased from any United Methodist Man or at the door. Pie, furnished by the United Methodist Women, is included, along with a choice of drink.

Backyard Cookout

JACKSONVILLE — The North Pulaski Retired Teachers Association will hold a meet-and-greet backyard cookout to honor new members at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the home of Terry and Sharon Johnson. All members, spouses and guests are invited. Members need to RSVP to Linda Remele or Sharon Johnson by Oct. 21.

Fall Carnival

CABOT — A free Fall Carnival will be held from 3-5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Christ United Methodist Church, 15361 Arkansas 5. The carnival will feature games, bouncy houses and contests for Best Costume and Best Carved Pumpkin.

Spaghetti Cook-off

CABOT — A Spaghetti Cook-off will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Christ United Methodist Church, 15361 Arkansas 5. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for the whole family. Children younger than 3 may eat free. Teams may enter to compete for the best spaghetti and the best booth for a $25 entry fee. Mayor Bill Cypert and Cabot Chamber Director Kelly Coughlin will be the judges.

Craft Sale and Country Store

JACKSONVILLE — St. Jude’s Prayer Shawl Group and Merry Widows will have a craft sale and country store from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 2403 McArthur Drive. A jambalaya dinner will be offered starting at 6 p.m. For more information, call (501) 982-4891.

Photography Contest

MAMMOTH SPRING — The Mammoth Spring Tree Board and the Spring River Lions Club are sponsoring a photography contest open to area residents. A tree must be present in the photo, and photos do not have to be mounted. The contest is open to youths and adults, and the deadline for entry is Nov. 1. The first-prize winner will receive $100, second place will receive $50, and third place will receive $25. Photos can be turned in at the Mammoth Spring City Hall. For more information, call Mayor Jean Pace at (870) 625-3518.

Holiday Extravaganza

SALEM — The Fulton County Fair will host the third annual Holiday Extravaganza on Nov. 1 and 2 in the Hickinbotham-Miller Exhibit Building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. Hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 1, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 2. To reserve tables and booth spaces, direct-marketing consultants and craft vendors may contact the Fulton County Fair at (870) 895-5565 or fultoncountyfair@centurytel.net.